The First Thing You Should Book After Getting Engaged (It’s Not the Venue, Dress, or Even Your DJ)
Photo Credit: Kimberly Crist Photography
Congratulations, you’re engaged!
Time to celebrate! Take the sparkly ring selfies, and embrace the joyful overwhelm of planning the biggest party of your life. Your mind is probably racing: Do we book the venue first? What about my dress? Should we secure our photographer and DJ? Do we need a planner or day of coordinator? What about florals and catering?
While all of those are crucial, I’m going to suggest a slightly unconventional but utterly game-changing first appointment: getting your colors analyzed.
Hear me out. As a wedding DJ who has seen thousands of brides light up the dance floor, I’ve learned that the most radiant confidence comes from feeling utterly like yourself. That, and having a great vendor team locked in so you can relax and enjoy your big day!
And you will increase your confidence by understanding the colors, tones, and palette that make you glow.
Why Colors Come Before Contracts
You might think color analysis is just about picking a flattering top. But for your wedding day, it’s the foundational secret to looking and feeling your absolute best. It influences so much:
· Your Dress: Is ivory, pure white, or a soft blush going to light up your skin? Knowing your undertones is the key.
· Your Makeup: Game changer. Have you ever been “expertly matched” for foundation under the fluorescent lights of Sephora, only to find it looks completely wrong in natural daylight? Knowing if you have cool or warm undertones is the first step in finding the right shades for you. It guides everything from your foundation to your blush, bronzer, eyeliner, and eyeshadow choices.
For example, I’m a winter and a cool-toned person. When I shop for blush, I head straight to the right side of the Rare Beauty liquid blush display. Last time I checked with the staff, those are the cool-toned shades. Knowing this simple fact saves time, money, and ensures I always look like me.
· Your Hair: This is the big one. I’ve made huge mistakes in the past with brassy blond shades that washed me out. If you dye your hair at all, I cannot stress enough how importanat it is to know if you are cool or warm toned.
It’s More Than Just Makeup: It’s Your Vibe
Your color palette sets the tone for your entire visual presence. When you know your best colors, you carry a different kind of confidence. People start noticing you look better, but they don’t know why. Like did you get a new haircut, a chemical peel, botox? What is your secret? You feel harmonious, polished, and authentically you. That confidence translates into your engagement photos, your wedding portraits, and how you own the room (and the dance floor!).
The Connection to Your Big Day
So, what does this have to do with me, your DJ? Nothing. I honestly just love all things about weddings and wish someone had given me this advice before I got married.
Your Action Plan
1. Book a Color Analysis.
Start your planning journey by investing in this knowledge about yourself. It will inform so many decisions for your whole life. Like when I shop for clothes, I don’t even look at brown, oranges or yellows. Unless it’s a specific winter shade: acid yellow. Which was a total aha moment for me!
Bonus: it also makes a fantastic engagement gift. (Just saying, Aunt Jen. 😉)
2. Then, Say Yes to the Dress.
Sure, you can line up your vendors first… but let’s be honest — the dress is what you’re most excited about, right? Once you know your best colors, dress shopping becomes less overwhelming and way more fun. You’ll be able to focus on silhouettes because you’ll already know the shades that truly light you up.
3. And Yes, Then Book Your DJ.
Once you know your vibe, let’s talk about how to add the heart - the entertainment!
Planning a wedding is about bringing all the elements of you together into one beautiful day. Start with the foundation—your brilliant, radiant self.
Ready to find the perfect soundtrack for your vibe? Let’s chat after you’ve found your colors.
